Facca, 36, is leaving the Broncos' program after accepting a scouting position with the Chicago Blackhawks.

"Chicago is an unbelievable organization from the top down and it made the decision a lot easier," Facca said. "This is just too good of an opportunity to overlook and we're just all real excited.

"At the same time, it's going to be bittersweet leaving here. It was kind of emotional talking to everybody about it and trying to keep it simple. I love it here."

During his time at WMU, Facca played a significant role in helping turn around the Broncos' program.

Since the 2010-11 season when Facca joined the staff after serving as an assistant at Northern Michigan, WMU has compiled a 78-54-29 record. In the three seasons prior to Facca's arrival, WMU struggled to a 30-75-18 record. Five of Facca's recruits were named to All-Rookie teams.

WMU has also made three trips to the conference semifinals, two trips to the conference finals, two trips to the NCAA tournament and, in 2012, the Broncos captured a CCHA tournament championship.

"We are very proud of Rob and all he has accomplished here," WMU coach Andy Murray said in a release. "This is a tremendous opportunity for him and we are both happy and sad to see him go.

"He has been a very important part of the Bronco Hockey Family these past four years. Rob's wife Nikki and his entire family have been great supporters of the program and while we will miss them greatly, we know they will always be Broncos."

Facca, who grew up in London, Ontario before playing three years of hockey at the University of Nebraska-Omaha said he will always consider Kalamazoo home.

"They've got it going here and they're going to win," Facca added. "At the end of the day, they're going to bring home another championship here."

Facca's positive impact has also been felt off the ice.

As a part of WMU's annual Ice Duchenne weekend, which Facca created, the Broncos have raised thousands of dollars to benefit research for Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, which Facca's son, Louie, suffers from.

"The hockey community is the best in all of sports and there's no question about that," Facca said of the support he received throughout the Ice Duchenne weekend. "We would all do anything for anybody and that's the way we are and how we operate.